उपराज्यपाल, दिल्ली

• Prof. Balram Bhargava, Head of Department Cardiothoracic Centre (AIIMS)
• Members of the General Council & Academic Council
• Members of the Board of Governors & Board of Studies
• Graduating Students & their Parents
• Staff & Invited Guests

1. At the outset, I would like to congratulate all those students who are graduating today and getting their degrees from the first Pharma University of India. I would also like to record my special appreciation for those, who have distinguished themselves and received awards today. It is the day of not only achievements but also of aspirations.
2. A degree is not just the receipt of the education you acquired during 2-4 years, but a document that certifies the hard work put in by you to acquire knowledge, skills and wisdom.  It is the decisive milestone on the path ahead where you will be contributing to self, family, society and the Nation. You graduate today with the power of this degree and with your aspirations.  I would also like to extend my congratulations to the parents and faculty present here, who shaped the young minds that are graduating today. 

3. Dear Students, Faculty Members, Ladies and Gentlemen,
   This is the first year after pandemic when a normal in-person convocation is being held in this University. I would like to applause all those who worked hard, innovated and evolved to achieve this important milestone despite the all pervasive dangers of the Covid pandemic and the concurrent threats of Dengue and Monkeypox.   Friends, Covid has turned ‘Pharmacy and Allied Health profession’ as the growth engine of the country, especially in the health sector.

4. Pharmaceutical Sciences are no longer just “manufacture” or “trading” of medicines, but an all encompassing discipline that includes biochemistry and biotechnology.  It has evolved as a discipline that can provide biological products and gene-therapy based products for the treatment of diseases. It is the domain that contributes to the development of newer and novel molecular and genomics based diagnostics and therapeutics.Personalized medicine or precision medicine is yet another area that has emerged in pharmacy.
5. Anything first has its own significance. In March 2022, Hon’ble Prime Minister while delivering the convocation address at RashtriyaRaksha University in Gandhi Nagar, mentioned about the first pharmacy college of the country in Ahmedabad.This College brought the “Indian Pharmaceutical Industry” on the world map and India consistently remains at 2nd or 3rd position on the map in terms of medicines or volume.
6. I would like to underline here that DPSRU that holds the distinction of being the first Pharmaceutical Sciences University in the country has a special responsibility of excelling in its designated mandate.  It should not spread itself thin by getting into activities and courses that are being taught and administered by numerous other specialized institutions.  Any attempt at dilution of your core competency in a bid to emulate what might appear fashionable or deviating from your mandate under external pressure will only take you away from the goal of excellence in your designated mandate. 
7. It is my considered opinion that in a field as important and relevant as Pharmaceutical Sciences, your endeavor should be to stringently focus on fundamental research and quality education.  To my mind, innovation, ingenuity andinvention should be your guiding talisman.  The onus for this, I must say, lies on the Management, Faculty and Administration of the University.
8. During Covid-19 Pandemic, two significant facts related to the Pharma Sector emerged. First, older belief that new vaccinestake years to develop got nullified with unprecedented advancements in technologies. India not only successfully developedfour vaccines, but also successfully vaccinated over two billion people. Second, the traditional systems of medicine especially, “Ayurveda” and “Yoga” emerged asmajor preventive and curative strategies in combating Covid-19. This led W.H.O. to recognize this system and choose India to be the global centre of traditional medicine.  While I appreciate the linkages that DPSR University has with the industry, I exhort you to further strengthen such collaboration for development of innovative products.
9. I am pleased to know that DPSRU is striving to make a significant impact in the healthcare sector by the training students to utilize applications of advanced technology. Inventions that have germinated in laboratories must be transmitted into the field to become agents of transformation. In this direction, DPSRU has come up with a Centre for Precision Medicine and Pharmacy and is also coming up with Centre for Advanced Formulation Development. These developments should be channelized to position Indian Pharma industry’ amongstthe top in the world.

10. Dear Graduates,
    I am aware that you made numerous sacrifices to obtain your degrees. However, I think it's crucial to acknowledge not only your own efforts on this occasion, but also the efforts of others who have helped you in your journey. Opportunities of higher education rarely come without a cost to the family of the student.  The cost could be monetary, it could entailsacrifices in terms of time, or involve the accumulation of tasks that demand of a learner to concentrate on his or her studies.I wish to record my appreciation for all the parent present here today, for having helped your children and wards maneuver through these challenges.

11. Similarly, the Vice Chancellor, Deans, and faculty members deserve credit for the quality of education and training provided to students at DPSRU.  I would like to compliment the faculty members who have assisted and guided these students throughout their academic years. This University is incredibly fortunate to have 8 faculty members including the Vice Chancellor among the top 2% of world scientists in a list released by Stanford University.

12. Dear Students,
    As you pass out of the portals of your Alma Mater, I urge you to become leaders who pledge to lead all from ignorance to truth, darkness to light and disease to health.  Let our civilizational ethos of अस्तोमा सद्ग़मय, तामसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय and मृत्योर्मा अमृतगमय, be your guiding principles. Do not fretter yourself with boundaries of circumstances and never let the spirit of inquisitiveness and thirst for knowledge die within yourself. Set targets for yourself, and do all possible to achieve them. There will be many challenges that you will face, but with the strong base of your education and upbringing and above all with ingenuity, you will be able to overcome.

13. You may plan to go for a profession, into research or set up your enterprise. But in whatever you choose, remember to give back to the society and help those who are marginalized and less fortunate. Wherever life takes you, don’t forget to carry the honor of this University in your mind and the magic of this community in your heart. I hope that you will stay connected with the University and would contribute to its growth and development by building a strong alumni network. I wish you all, the very best in your future endeavors.

Jai Hind!